News

NIH and Wellcome Trust Announce Partnership to Support Population-based Genome Studies in Africa

Tuesday, June 22, 2010 —

It has been no secret to the CRGGH that population-based genome studies in Africa are important not only to the field of human genetic variation and genomics but to the continent of Africa as a whole. Today, the NIH and the Wellcome Trust take significant steps towards solidifying a relationship aimed at supporting such studies across multiple populations in Africa. Dr. Rotimi, Director of the CRGGH along with Drs. Collins (NIH Director) and Green (NHGRI Director) are in London, England today to launch this partnership with Wellcome Trust, represented by Sir Mark Walport (Wellcome Trust Director).

The Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) will operate on $5 million each year from the NIH for the next five years. The Wellcome Trust will contribute at least $12 million over the same time frame. A major goal H3Africa will be to establish or enhance research facilities in various countries throughout Africa. Dr. Rotimi, born in Nigeria, knows firsthand the impact this kind of endeavor will have not only in his home country but across continent. "H3Africa will be fundamentally different than previous investments in medical research in Africa," said Dr.Rotimi. "In the past, many research projects simply took samples from Africa and conducted the studies back in Western labs. H3Africa will build the capacity for African researchers to study African populations to solve African problems and will create strong collaborations between African researchers and those in Europe, the United States, and other parts of the world." View the full press release here.